• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Agriculture / More statehouse debate of "puppy mill" bill

More statehouse debate of "puppy mill" bill

March 17, 2009 By admin

Legislation that would crack down on so-called "puppy mills" is losing steam at the statehouse. The bill has cleared one committee in the Iowa House, but it’s bogged down in another as lawmakers consider allowing employees from the Iowa Department of Agriculture to inspect federally-licensed dog kennels that draw public complaints.

Robert Gibbens, regional director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Health Inspection Service, says his employees do a good job, but his federal agency is understaffed. "We used to visit them more often when we had less facilities and more inspectors. You know when you’re going someplace once or twice a year for a few hours, you’re getting a snapshot of what it looks like on that day. That’s why we go by unannounced," Gibbens says. "But, still, things can change in a hurry at a commercial dog kennel or at any facility."

According to Gibbens, three U.S.D.A. inspectors are responsible for policing nearly four-hundred commercial dog breeders in Iowa. Stephanie Shain of the Humane Society says that’s why the state needs to step in. "Currently in the state (of Iowa), if that state Department of Ag receives a complaint, they are powerless to do anything other than pass it on to the federal government in the hope that it will be inspected by them," Shain says.

The bill’s opponents argue it’s unlicensed breeders who cause the most problems and this legislation does nothing to address them. It’s unclear when or if the full House Ag Committee may consider the bill.  Today’s discussion occurred in a subcommittee hearing.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Agriculture, Human Interest, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Democratic Party, Legislature, Republican Party

Featured Stories

Grundy Center man sentenced to life for killing State Trooper

Jodi Husientruit remembered 27 years after she disappeared

Iowa Supreme Court rules in Mahaska-Marion County regional airport dispute

Pheasant harvest and hunter numbers both up this year

Iowa Supreme Court overturns ruling creating constitutional abortion right

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/27/22

AJ Green signs with Milwaukee

Iowa to host Georgia Tech in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Iowa State adds a defensive back

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/20/22

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2022 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC